Friday, February 12, 2016

Book Review: Sonnets from the Spirit

Sonnets from the Spirit,[1]
a book written by my friend Christopher Villiers, is a fantastic source of the
continuation of the ancient practice of midrash. Through his fantastic poems,
taken from both the Old and the New Testaments, he speaks through the heroes,
saints and protagonists of Holy Scripture. He gives a personal tone to the
events, allowing us to further understand the richness and significance of the episodes
we read in the Bible. This work shows a connection between the various stories
in Holy Scripture connecting the beginning with Eve and concluding with the
Assumption of the Theotokos – the Second Eve -, showing thus the whole plan of
God for the salvation of His creation.

These sonnets are to be read with
an open mind, allowing the reader to see the events from Scripture in a totally
new way, from the personal stance of the people taking part in the events.
Therefore, these sonnets hold within them a passion and an emotion, allowing us
to be part of them, just as we are when observing an icon, or visiting a
church.

A poem, which impressed me
greatly, was the one dedicated to the Prodigal Son. A poem full of theology but
also with a human character, an understanding of the human relations and the
mistakes the prodigal son (i.e. mankind) acts towards the father (i.e. God). A
poem where ideals, such as forgiveness, are pointed out, showing us the example
and the way of life we need to maintain in order to live a Christ-like life. Additionally,
the poem dedicated to Judas is another example of the painful events, giving
Judas a voice, which we do not often hear due to his betrayal.

These poems allow us to follow
the life of the Church by understanding better the stories, parables and events
found in Holy Scripture. The personal factor, found in these sonnets, gives the
opportunity to each and every Christian to take the protagonist’s place, making
Scripture and Tradition intimate to our existence within the Church.

Let us hope that this book, which
is a great read, is only the first of many books that Christopher Villiers will
write. Christianity needs to remind itself of the personal stance we need to
keep within our worship, within our life in the Church, by making every story
and event of the Bible a truth which we need to follow.

About Me

I have studied Theology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Theology, International Relations at the University of London (Queen Mary). My Master's Thesis was published as a book: 'The Aegean Sea Dispute Between Greece and Turkey - The Consequences for NATO and the EU'. For more information see: http://www.akakia.net/el/the-aegean-sea-dispute-between-greece-and-turkey
I have also studied Byzantine Music in Athens and I am currently undertaking a research on the “Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius and its contribution towards Anglican – Orthodox Relations”, at the University of Winchester.
I also represent the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain at the A.E.C.A. If you wish to contact me you can email me: demetrifs1@yahoo.com